Tarawa Cemetery 28
"Isolated Grave 28"
0
Remains Recovered
1946
0
Unidentified Remains
2021
0
Unaccounted For
2021
The isolated grave of Sergeant Clyde Clayton Mitchell of Wichita, Kansas. Sergeant Mitchell, an NCO with Company L, Third Battalion, 8th Marines, died of gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943. His grave was situated between the main airstrip of Hawkins Field and an auxiliary taxiway.
It is not known if the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company managed to locate Cemetery 28. Mitchell’s grave is not marked on a map used by the GRS troops during 1946, and the burial is not mentioned in their report. The sergeant was never recorded as buried in Lone Palm Cemetery, nor are there any Betio X-files related to Cemetery 28. If the 604th did dig here, they found no remains; Mitchell is still listed as non-recovered.
The 1944 photograph above shows how close Mitchell’s grave stood to the taxiway – possibly the marker was removed for a construction project, such as widening the airstrip.
Mitchell
The "island" at Hawkins Field, seen in 1944. Sergeant Mitchell's grave was situated under a palm tree near the taxiway at the top of the picture. US Navy photo / NARA RG-80.
Detail of the 1946 map used by the 604th QMGRC. Circled numbers denote cemeteries; note that the "island" is blank. NARA RG-96.